Game apparatus.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BURTON A. BOORE, OF MGKEESPORT, AND JAMES FERGUSON, F PITTSBURG,

PENNSYLVANIA.

GAME APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 27, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, BURTON A. Boone and JAMES W. FERGUSON, citizens of the- United States of America, residing at McKeesport and Pittsburg, respectively, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing. 1

This invention relates to educational game apparatus and the objects of our invention are, first, to provide an educational device that can be used in kindergartens and the primary departments of public schools; second, to provide an educational game that will be beneficial in the study of geography; third, to provide a puzzle that W1ll require considerable skill and thought to solve, and fourth, to provide a simple andinexpensive game or puzzle that can be used for advertising purposes. v

WVe attain the above objects by a device that will be presently described and then specifically claimed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a cross sectional View of a game apparatus in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the shiftable members. or moving pieces. Fig. 3 is a plan of the device illustrating the map side. Fig. 4 is a similar view illustrating the numeral side of the device, with the numbers on the shiftable members or moving pieces. Fig. 5 is a similar View with the numbers irregularly arranged.

A game apparatus in accordance with this invention comprises a box or casing formed of two removable sections 3 and a rectangular frame'having a peripheral rim 2 arranged intermediate the upper and lower edges of the frame. Each of the sections 3 consists of a supporting base andside and end walls 4. The frame 1 is mounted in the sections 3 with the rim 2 of said frame interposed between the edges of the walls of the sections. The inner faces of the walls of the sections engage the outer face of the frame and the outer face of the rim 2 is flushed with the outer faces of the walls of the sections. The casing or box provides means for housing a plurality of shiftable members or movable pieces 5, preferably sixteen innumber and which fit snugly within the frame 1. One side of the movable pieces 5 is beveled as at 6 and one face of each of said movable pieces 5 is provided with a number, the numbers running from 1 to 16 consecutively. The beveled edges of the in the frame 1. The opposite face of each of the movable pieces is provided with a and when said movable pieces are assembled in proper order as shown in Fig. 4. of the drawings acompleted. map is illustrated. The map can represent the United States, or any other country. I

By inverting the box and removing the lid 3, the map 7 will be exposed to View. By then removing the piece designated 16, the moving pieces can be shifted about and promiscuously arranged in the box. .It is then the objectto shift the movable pieces,

without taking the same from the box, until the movable pieces are arranged in their properorder to represent the map 7. I

With the lid replaced, the box can be inverted and the 11d removed to exposethe numbers 1 to 16 inclusive of the movable pieces. The piece 16 can then be removed and the other pieces rearranged, as shown in Fig. 5.. It is then the object of the game to shift the movable pieces, without removing the same from the box until these represent the formation shown in Fig. 4:. After the movable pieces have been so arganged, the piece 16 can be replaced in the It will thus be observed that the puzzle can be solved from either side of thebox, the map side of the movable pieces presenting a more diflicult proposition, asa erson must be familiar with the outline o the country in order to properly assemble the movable pieces. With the numerical side of the box, the movable pieces can be arranged in their order, but in each instance, the shifting of themovable pieces becomes more diflicult toward the last, when the movable pieces 12, 13, 1 1 and 15 are to be arranged in their order.

We make the game of light and durable wood, and reserve the right to use pictures instead of maps upon the under. sides of the moving pieces.

Hav ng now described our invention what we claim as new, is

60 movable pieces facilitate theshifting thereof A game apparatus comprising a relatively shallow rectangularrcccptacle including a body-portion and a pair of removable combined cover and supporting sections adapted to be mounted upon. the top and bottom of the bodyortion and overlapthe outer faces of the si es of the body-portion,-

\ and shiftable members mounted within said 'be arranged in proper order body-portion and having the upper and lower faces thereof provided'with characters adapted when the members are shiftedto each of said sections providing means when engaging with the body-portion for sup orting said members to expose whenthe c aracters on In testimony whereofwe afiix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

BURTON A. 'BooRE; JAMES w. FERGUSON.

Witnesses:

MAX H. Snonovrrz, A. J. Tmeo; 

